A break that was needed!

Wow...I feel refreshed!  I just reopened my shop after closing it for 9 weeks, yes 9 weeks!!!  If I didn't do it, I was going to just crumble.  I was open for 2 1/2 years, running non-stop.  I did close a few times during that time, but I was still running a business behind the scenes catching up on orders, researching materials, marketing, ordering supplies... I just never stopped.  But 6 months ago I started noticing that I was tired all the time, I had high anxieties/stress & just felt down all the time.  I had no desire to leave the house, to do anything fun and I was starting to despise creating!!  I went to Dr's and after blood work and tests...guess what?  Everything is normal!!!  Go figure!  Working non-stop, taking care of a toddler, a home, and a hubby...left little to no time for taking care of me.  My nutrition suffered and my exercising suffered...I started to even lose a TON of hair!!  I was always on the go go go that I never stopped to realize what I was doing to myself.  That's when I decided to take a break.  It was exactly what I needed.  I'm still struggling with the nutrition.  I get stuck with what I should eat...trying to get all the daily nutrition I need on a daily basis.  I'm also working up a schedule and I'm going to stick with it.  Marketing certain hours, answering emails certain hours...etc etc.  Being a one person show is really hard...but I can't give up.  Baby's Breath Handmade took a lot of sweat and tears to get it to where it is today...  I need to just get myself organized and on a healthy routine!

I would love to hear your tips, ideas, even recipes that help you keep on top of your business without it letting it boggle you down!  Comment below!  If you have a blog or follow a certain blog that goes along with this, post it too!  I would love to follow!

I started working on some new designs today and here are two of the completed newborn bonnets now in my shop.  So sweet & delicate!!

Vintage Glamour Inspired Bonnet - Sheer Cream with White Pearl Applique

  

Linen Vintage Inspired Bonnet - Cream with Crochet Doily Accent

I also had my logo revamped a tiny bit with hand drawn Baby's Breath flowers (the inspiration behind my business name b/c of how delicate they are) and I love it!!!!  If you're in need of a new logo, I highly recommend DemoisellePixel!  Carine is an amazing artist!

I look forward to reading your comments!!!

Stay sweet....  Stay chic....

Xoxo

Joyce

The Question: How did you do it?

Do you ever sit and wonder, how did you do it?  I’m sitting here with that thought in my head.  Why?  Well, these past few months truly have been the hardest for my family and I.  At the end of October, I decided to go back to work full-time to help my husband a little more in catching us up on finances.  My husband had lost his job, and once he did we got behind on so much.  Not only was I working full-time outside of the home, I was running Baby’s Breath Handmade.  Was I tired? Yes!  Did I want to give up?  Yes!  Did I?  NO!!!  I truly love what I do, so I kept it going while working full time.  During all of these past few months I couldn’t stop thinking of how I could do this better?  How could I continue to work full-time AND run Baby’s Breath Handmade.  The answer was simple – I couldn’t.  I had to make a decision as to what truly made me happy.  I was missing seeing my little girl Lola grow up, losing out on time with my husband, losing out on time with my friends…and slowly but surely, I wasn’t taking care of my own self which led to unhealthy eating habits and a whole lot of sleep deprivation.  Sounds pretty eh?  No, not really.

A lot of times we take ‘handmade’ for granted.  We don’t appreciate how much time goes into making one item.  It can easily take an up to 3 or 4 hours depending on the project.  We don’t appreciate how much time goes into shopping for materials, how much time goes into marketing, how much time goes into bookkeeping….it takes up a lot of time….period!  Working full-time, being a mommy, a wife and doing BBH at the same time, simply put…I was EXHAUSTED.  Now I realize how time management is so so so important.  

After much thought and prayer and talking it over with my husband, I had to make a decision.  So as of May 15^th I will no longer be working full-time outside of the home, but back to being a full-time business owner at home and spending time with my Lola like it has always been meant to be.  Although I'm sad to leave an amazing team at the company I work for at the moment, I’m super excited being that I miss so so so much waking up, making her breakfast, hearing her giggles throughout the day and teaching her a multitude of things.  Which by the way, I’m so proud to say that she is learning sign language at a very RAPID pace!  She’s an intelligent little girl for sure!    

I’m really looking forward to the next few months and digging deeper into handmade items.  A few changes will be occurring which will include many more items ready to ship, a newborn luxury line & a bigger variety of items for all ages. 

As of October of 2011, I no longer do product trades.  I attempted to open that up two - three months ago again, and it failed.  With the amount of orders coming and the working full-time, I couldn’t get products out as I wished.  The items I did send out, I never received photos for.  I receive emails almost daily for free items and I’m so flattered…but please oh please, do not insult me because of my decision to no longer do trades {yes, I have received nasty emails believe it or not!}  Product trades have ended. 

I hope you join in on all the fun and exciting things that are to come.  I can’t thank you enough for your support and the words of encouragement I have received from the few of you I have really gotten close too through Etsy and Facebook.  It really means the world to me.

Baby’s Breath Handmade is run by one person, designs are done by one person, orders and shipping are done by one person, marketing is done by one person…and that one person is ME.   So thank you once again for all the love and support!  I hope to not disappoint you over the next few months!  And please keep sharing your photos on my Facebook wall!  I just love seeing my items on your babies and I love seeing my items in your photoshoots!  J

So the question continues, how did I do it?  How did I do it all these past few months and really not go insane?  My answer:  I have NO IDEA!  LOL!  I do have to thank my amazing husband & our loving God!  My husband and I truly worked as an amazing team to push through a hard time!  I was so thankful to have  Lola taken care of during the weekdays by two amazing women, my mother and my sister.  Thank you for your help!!!

So…………let the designing begin!

Boutique Owners:  Lets respect one another, keep our integrity and refrain from copying designs.  Hard work goes into designing.  Being successful comes from being yourself!

Photographers:  You guys are AMAZING!  You truly have taken 'handmade' to another level and have opened the doors for so many amazing designers.  For that, we THANK YOU!

Parents:  Thank you so much for your support and for loving handmade goods for your children.  Items they will treasure for the rest of their lives and can possibly pass on to their children and for that opportunity, we thank you.

Much love to you all!!!

Xo

Joyce

{Photo Courtesy of Juliette Hilliard Photography}

{Photo Courtesy of Pam Birmingham Photography}

 {Photo Courtesy of Tara Swain Photography}

{Photo Courtesy of Peekaboo Photos}

{Photo Courtesy of lightful | photography}

{Photo Courtesy of bellasaluti}

 {Photo Courtesy of lightful | photography}

 {Photo Courtesy of Perles Photography}

{Photo Courtesy of bellasaluti}

{Photo Courtesy of Photography by Melina}

{Photo Courtesy of Perles Photography}

Design a Day on Hold & Shipping Time Change

Effective Immediately: Due to an increase of orders, all NEW orders placed as of tonight will have a 2 week shipping turnaround time. Once I'm caught up, turnaround time will resume back to 3-7 days. I thank you all so much for your support!!! When I first started this business, never did I EVER think I'd get to this point. Your support has been amazing! Thank you so so so much from the bottom of my heart!! ♥


***Design a Day is on hold for now***

Girl Talk...

Today was such a great day...  My girlfriend came over and what had seemed like forever since my last girl talk session, immediately felt like I just saw her yesterday!  We caught up a bit...4 long hours of talking...  yet, we still could talk all night!  HAHAHA  I feel refreshed and ready to take on all the big and exciting things coming your way.  I hope to share more details soon!!!

I'm off to catch up on orders.  My design of the day will be put off until tomorrow.  I will also be announcing the winner for the "Veiled Love" photography prop!  If you have not entered, there are still a few hours left!!  Click on the below link to enter:

Design of the Day - March 8 - Veiled Love - GIVEAWAY INCLUDED

Xoxo
Joyce

Happy Friday!!! What's on your agenda?

Good Morning!!!  It's a gloomy day here today but I'm happy to say that my daughter is so much better.  We both slept the entire night...so I am bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning.  Ok, maybe that is a tad exaggerated...but I am a lot more alive today than these past few days.  HAHA

What's on your agenda today?   I have to catch up on so many orders that I got behind on.  Busy Friday ahead.  And I also will be posting a NEW giveaway on my blog this evening for reaching 3,000+ fans on my Facebook fan page!!  I have a beautiful new design to give away. You can choose for it to be on a headband, comb, brooch or comb!!!  A piece for any age!!


Last night I listed a few new designs in my shop!  Stop by and take a look!   And don't forget about the other two amazing giveaways going on!  If you didn't enter...enter now my clicking on the below link!!!  

Giveaways! Ces't La Vie Events 1 Year Anniversary and Simply Stacie Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway!

So that is my day.  A lot to do...but I LOVE doing it!!!   I hope you all have a fantastic day!!!

Xoxo
Joyce

A creative mind never rests....

Hi there!!  I haven't blogged in quite a bit.  These past two weeks have been the busiest two weeks ever.  Baby's Breath Handmade opened in May of 2010, and now 8 months later it is picking up quite a bit.  I'm so HAPPY!!!!  Thank you so much to everyone who has been constantly there supporting me every step of the way and for all of those who have continued to share my products and designs.  Truly has been amazing.

I have so many designs that I want to make!!!  If only there were more hours to the day!  I have stocked up on so many beautiful, high quality silks, satins, pearls, rhinestones, ribbons and my favorite, LACE!!  I'm going to start working on my spring line soon!!  I haven't had a chance to start since I've been working on orders and custom designs.  But I hope to start soon!!!  Before we know it, spring will be here!!!!  Oh my!

I must say...it's so true when they say that a creative mind never rests!!  I'm always thinking of new designs.  Lately I've been waking up during the night with designs in mind...I get up and write them down.  Is that crazy or what?   What do you do?  This sometimes drives me crazy!!   I feel like I can't keep up with my ideas!!!  *sigh*  What's a girl who loves fabrics, pearls, lace and more supposed to do???  EEECK

I want to start sharing some photos from some of my favorite photographers!!!  They are all of my designs and can all be found in my Etsy shop.

Photos by Cori Henderson Photography - Located in Texas

{Exciting}  Guess what???  I'm sooooooooo close to 3,000 fans on Facebook!!!!  Once I hit 3,000 a giveaway will be posted!!!  Stop by my Facebook page if you haven't yet, and become a fan!!!  <3 <3 <3

Xoxo

Joyce

Where has the time gone???

I'm sitting here wondering...where has the time gone?

This time of year 2 years ago, after going through a few medical problems - we thought we would never be able to have a baby.  We even gave up on the thought of trying!  A few months later on 7/15/2009, our lives changed.  I remember clearly sitting at home craving chicken.  When my husband brought it to me, the smell and taste just made me want to throw up.  I took one bite and I couldn't even think about taking another.  Never thought anything.  My husband left for the evening and while he was out, I thought..."Could it be???".  It wouldn't hurt to take a test...so I did.  In SECONDS, the test read positive!  I was in SHOCK!  All I could do was cry! I didn't think I'd ever get pregnant!  I was an emotional wreck!  I wanted to tell my husband in person, so I waited for him to get home.  In the meantime, I called my sister to share the news!  How I got through telling her??? I have no idea...I couldn't stop crying!!  My husband came home and I handed him a letter.  After giving me an odd look, he opened it and read it.  It said "Will it be a boy...or will it be a girl?  We don't know.  But one thing is for sure...You're going to be a DADDY!!!".  He was so shocked that all he can say was "Are you sure?".  LOL!  I thought the same thing.  I called the Dr. first thing the next morning and they had me go in for a test.  It was true!  I was expecting.  We couldn't figure out dates, so the Dr. decided to do an ultrasound to see how far along I was.  I was 9 WEEKS ALREADY!  I had NO CLUE!  No morning sickness, no nausea, no nothing!  The rest of my pregnancy was a breeze.  Despite the nervousness and fear of what was to come...  I enjoyed every single day of being pregnant.

Here we are now.  Lola is 11 months old today.  Reality has sunken in that she will be 1 year old next month!!  Where has time gone?


The love we have for her is unexplainable.  She has brought so much joy to our family, especially after experiencing some difficult times.  We look forward to seeing her grow up, seeing her personality continue to develop, & seeing her change every day.  


Most of all we're so proud to know that we are her mommy and daddy... 

....it's all because two people fell in love..... 

Here are some photos of my journey with her...  The inspiration to Baby's Breath Handmade!

My dimpled beauty at 11 months.......

Xoxo

Joyce

What a year!!!

I can't tell you how excited I am!!  My first blog entry!  {Ok, a bit cheesy...but I'm excited...LOL}


This year has been an amazing journey for me.  My beautiful little girl was born February 10th, and a few months later Baby's Breath Handmade was born.


After 11 long years in the corporate world, I decided to become a WAHM (Work at Home Mom).  It was the best decision I ever made!! It has given me the opportunity to do what I love! Craft! 

After having Lola, I started noticing that I didn't like anything the stores had to offer for moms, like diaper bags and changing sets...and for Lola, I could not find accessories that I loved. It was all the same. Nothing that made me jump for joy.  I started Baby's Breath Handmade with baby wipe cases & my sister, Omayra,  joined in on the venture with diaper cakes and crochet blankets.  She decorated my baby shower with gorgeous diaper cakes as the table centerpieces!  From there, I started to create photography props. After a few custom orders, the hair accessories were created. 

I have a love for all things shabby chic, vintage and Parisian inspired! I take a lot of pride in my products and I aim to make them as unique as possible, always using the best materials the market has to offer. When you purchase from my shop, you'll love the experience of handmade! 


It's been a lot of hard work and a lot of sleepless nights getting Baby's Breath Handmade started, but I can say that it has been worth it every step of the way!

So stop into our shop, take a look and share with your friends and family! Our accessories are suitable for ALL ages!!  I hope you love my products just as much as I love making them! 

Follow me on Facebook & Twitter for great deals,  giveaways & more!!


Xoxo
Joyce